Wendy’s Financial Issue a Computer Glitch, not Fraud

by Wes Mayer

Beginning Tuesday, customers of the Wendy’s restaurant on Bullsboro Drive began seeing double or triple charges on their bank statements.

Many victims reported it as fraud. However, an investigation determined the problem was a computer glitch between the restaurant and the company which runs its financial transaction information, said Inv. Jason Fetner with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.

The owner of the Wendy’s franchise, Matt Van Paepeghem, told investigators nearly 3,000 transactions were not authorized, and there may even be more victims, Fetner said. The company is taking full responsibility for the issue, and the Wendy’s management will be issuing checks to anyone who had their accounts overdrawn.

According to Paepeghem, the additional charges should only be pending, and they should fall off customers' accounts. No debit or credit card numbers have been stolen or recorded by Wendy's as a result of this glitch, Paepeghem said.

"We apologize for this issue," Paepeghem said. "It is not a problem with our restaurant, and we are doing anything we can to make this right."

Paepeghem has given his and the restaurant district manager’s, Charlie Davis’, contact information so those affected by the problem may contact them. You may reach Paepeghem at Matt@Wenmarr.com, by cell: 404-414-9072, or at the office: 770-306-6063 x22. You may reach Davis at Charlie@wenmarr.com, or by cell: 678-457-0701.

If you have any questions regarding the investigation or need a police report because your bank requires it, you may contact Inv. Fetner at the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, 678-423-6711.

For more on this story, be sure to look in Saturday’s print and digital editions of The Newnan Times-Herald.